ABC #402

OBITUARY
MICHAEL APPS
An Extraordinary Life
Bus industry icon Michael Apps sadly passed away on 26 December, 2020.
Michael’s Farewell
Celebration was held at
the Kamberra Function
Centre in Canberra
on January 18, 2021, attended
by 150 friends, colleagues and
family. An even greater number
of 2,000+ joined the celebration
online. Michael’s wife, Madonna,
and his family sincerely extend their
appreciation and warm wishes to
all who participated. Michael also
received a number of public tributes
and these will be made available for
a short time on the OzeBus website:
ozebus.com.au/tributes.pdf.
ABOUT THE MAN
Here, BIC chairman Wayne Patch
shares a few key memories about
keen rugby player and fan Michael
and his commitment and passion
for the Australian bus industry.
“In February 2002, the Bus
Industry Confederation was
established, and Michael, as many
in Industry will know, served as its
executive director for nearly two
decades.
“At the core of Michael’s national
agenda for industry was the
development of creative solutions to
assist our nation’s policy makers in
tackling the many challenges that
confront us in respect of moving
people around cities, regions and
towns. He understood that the
challenges we face cannot be
overcome by any single transport
mode solution and it was this
acknowledgement that made him
much more than just a bus industry
advocate.
“Michael led the national agenda
for public transport, promoting the
benefits of moving-people services
as a national priority for all levels
of government. His often irreverent
approach masked the serious nature
of the policies being espoused and
enabled the BIC to get politicians
and senior bureaucrats to consider
BIC’s position.
“Michael has formed countless
trusted relationships with political
20
ABC February 2021 busnews.com.au